With temperatures falling as low as 20 degree celsius amid rains, Dhofar has been under a khareef like cover of mist since Friday.
Tourists and locals are flocking to Jabal Ayoob, Ittin, Shaat and Raysut to enjoy the pleasant weather on the weekend.
Salalah becomes the top tourist destination in Khareef season. Preparations are currently underway for the Khareef Dhofar, which happens from July 15 to August 30 Khareef celebrations, named Khareef Carnival, is an occasion that attracts both domestic and international tourists to the various spots in Dhofar, and the recent opening of Oman-Saudi Arabia road will accentuate the flow of tourists from across the region.
"We are expecting a large number of tourists from both local and international destinations as the Oman-Saudi dual carriageway is instrumental in easing transport needs," said Abdul Nasser, social activist and a businessman in Salalah.
The mountain area in Aiteen Road will no longer be the main attraction. Instead, Awkat Salalah, Tareef Beach and other important places will host a carnival in connection with the Khareef.
Monsoon season in the region is the most awaited time of the year and in Dhofar, the mountain ranges witness sprouting greenery accompanied by the drizzles that give birth to a dreamy place far from the rest of the world.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage, the popularity of Salalah has been on a rise attracting tourists thanks to its chilled, foggy and drizzling weather which turns the whole region of Dhofar from sandy to lush green during Khareef.
According to the National Center for Statistics and Information (NCSI), Khareef Dhofar recorded an increase of 18.4 per cent in visitors at about 962,000 in 2023 compared to 813,000 visitors in 2022.
There is also an increase in spending by visitors to the Dhofar during the same period to RO 103 million, compared to RO86 million. The number of nights of stay by visitors increased to 7 million nights, compared to 6 million nights in the 2022 season.
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